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Meet the Team

Alessandro Ballan

Velusso Ride Guide

Alessandro is an Italian professional cyclist who most recently rode for UCI World Tour team BMC Racing Team. He is best known for winning the World Road Race Championships in 2008, from a spectacular attack in the closing kilometres. The first Italian to win the Tour of Flanders and the Three Days of De Panne in the same season, he has raced to the very highest level.

Alessandro now enjoys spending his time with family and continues to ride his bike, despite retiring from competitive road racing. With a passion for travel and meeting new riders, he is looking forward to passing on his knowledge and stories from the pro peloton to Velusso guests.

Fabian Wegmann

Velusso Ride Guide

A three time German national road race champion and Giro d’Italia King of the Mountains winner, Fabian Wegmann is one of the long-standing names in cycling having spent 15 years racing in the top tiers of the sport. Best known for ability as a puncheur, Fabian has represented a number of WorldTour teams, including Gerolsteiner, Team Milram, Leopard Trek and Garmin-Sharp. His results span over his whole career, one that included racing seven Tours de France, and at the end of 2016 he took the step down to explore a new chapter in his cycling career.

Commenting on his involvement with Velusso, Fabian said, “It’s great to be able to spend good times on the bikes and to share these with other cyclists. I’m looking forward to passing on my knowledge and having fun in the company of Velusso guests.”

Thomas Damuseau

Velusso Ride Guide

Thomas started cycling when he was 10 years old, near to his home city of Lyon, France. The Tour de France was always the most important event of the year. He spent hours in front of the TV watching the superstars of his childhood era. The dream of becoming a professional cyclist motivated him during his younger years. He was able to combine the tough demands of his intense training regime with his academic studies. His dream became a reality in 2011, when he started racing for Dutch team, Giant Shimano. Thomas managed to win a King of the Mountains classification at the 2013 Critérium du Dauphiné, earning him the famous red and white polka dot jersey.

Conor Dunne

Velusso Ride Guide

Conor’s interest in cycling was very much influenced by his uncle who raced for teams in Luxembourg and France. After Conor finished his A-Levels, he moved to Belgium to realise his dream of becoming a professional cyclist.

He currently rides for UCI Pro Conti Team, Aqua Blue Sport and has recently won the King of the Mountains jersey at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Commenting on his role at Velusso, Conor said, “It’s exciting to be able to provide others with an insight into professional cycling.”

Yanto Barker

Velusso Ride Guide

66Yanto started his career at the age of 15 years old and showed his cycling ability almost immediately after winning the Junior British National Road Racing Championships. Post this early success, he then went on to race in the Junior Road Race World Championships where he finished 11th. Throughout his professional career he rode successfully for a number of teams and even had a spell in France, gaining experience in the continental circuit. Yanto recently retired from professional racing and his British UCI Continental Team, ONE Pro Cycling. He now spends his time concentrating on his very own cycling apparel business, Le Col, who are proud official suppliers of the 2017 Velusso kit.

Daniel Patten

Velusso Ride Guide

Dan recently completed his degree in Sports Science with Management at Loughborough University. After graduating, Dan pursued his career as a professional cyclist which included a few years living and racing full time in Belgium. He also raced for a couple of years in the USA, after which he signed for Team Wiggins, the official team of Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Dan enjoys meeting new people with a passion for cycling and is looking forward to passing on his knowledge and experience with Velusso customers.

Jamie Livingston

Accommodation Host

After 10 years within the international hospitality industry, Jamie continues her journey across Europe. With her passion for outstanding customer service, she delivers experiences which will exceed your expectations and is committed to providing you with a memorable experience during your stay. Just leave it to Jamie; she will handle everything for you.

Amy Trevethan

Accommodation Host

Amy has an extensive background in the hospitality and events industry, which has taken her across the globe delivering an exceptional level of service in some of the worlds most unique and sought after destinations.

With a passion for nutrition and fitness, along with a keen eye for detail, Amy will handle the organisation of your accommodation during your stay, ensuring your Velusso experience runs as smoothly as possible. Relax and let Amy take care of everything.

Stacey Kelly

Soigneur & Sports Masseuse

Growing up in the world of cycling, Stacey has had a vast amount of experience interacting and working with the sport’s best. In between Velusso trips, she currently works as a Soigneur for JLT Condor Racing.

Stacey ensures you have everything you need before, during and after riding. In her career so far she has seen plenty of exceptional cycling successes, which she would be more than happy to share with you during you Velusso trip.

Tom Copeland

Social Media & Communications Manager

Tom has a wealth of experience within all aspects of cycling and has a passion for travel and exploration. He raced to Continental level before making the switch to work in media, later transferring to business communications. Working on Velusso’s social media communications and marketing strategies, Tom brings fresh ideas to the business and added enthusiasm in creating the ideal premium cycling experience.

Will Rylance

Co-founder & Operations Director

Will has always had great interest in travel, which has taken him to many of the world’s unique and wonderful destinations. After his operational involvement in the successful Race Across Europe world record, he understands the importance of meticulous planning and attention to detail. Will handles all things logistical at Velusso and founded the company with the aim of providing a flawless cycling experience that exceeds all expectations.

James Bowtell

Co-Founder & Sales Director

James is an experienced traveller. Following his world-record breaking cycle across Europe and fully-supported Haute Route Pyrenees ride, he understands the value of convenience and off-the-bike luxury. With a background in strategy and consulting, James has helped to shape the Velusso offering. He founded the company to share his love for cycling, his appreciation of fantastic accommodation and great food, and to provide others with an insight into the professional cycling scene.